Some WiiU Advice

RahnalH102RahnalH102 the Green Devout, Veteran Monster Hunter, Creature EnthusiastNew Mexico Icrontian
I couldn't wait till March for Monster Hunter so I bought a WiiU over the Holidays. Very interesting and lots o' fun, but nothing is perfect. The following are a few things that would have been handy for me to know before hand, and I'll share with you prospective WiiU owners. If you already have one feel free to share your own advice.


Allow Some Setup Time
A lot of features and software come with the WiiU in both versions. Many of said features are not instantly installed and ready for use as well (at least for mine they were not.) In the initial setup of the system you will get an option to connect to the internet (assuming you can.) If this is done it will automatically check for a System Update. As of this post, your WiiU will likely be the base 1.0.0 U version. Currently it's up to 2.1.0 U. This will have all the Miiverse, TVii, and even the shop software in it. So it's a tough spot if you have no internet at the time. It's a very connected system. You'll still be able to play your games and what not, just no online features.

Now even when you can perform this System Update there is still more to do afterwords. Namely creating Miis for the users, creating Nintendo Network IDs and linking them to the users, setting up all the other software such as the shop, TVii, etc. It will take up some time. A lot of this setup seems like it could have already been done by Nintendo but hasn't for some reason.

Despite all this, if what you're interested in is playing a game you can get the initial setup done, skip the System Update, and get to jumping, dancing, shooting, stabbing, Bat-a-ranging, or what have you.

Storage
This should have been an obvious one to me but I didn't think about it till after I started downloading Tekken from the shop.
Tekken Tag 2 is about 15gigs, I got a Deluxe WiiU so I have 32 gigs to spend in the system itself. Seems awfully small when I took nearly half of it away with just one game. So to put this simply, if you plan on downloading games, stick to small ones unless you have a large SD card or USB storage device to throw at it ( I believe an Ext HDD can work with this, but have not tested yet.)

Wii Transfer
This is normally a good idea, however there are some limitations. Namely this: The WiiU is not backwards compatible with GameCube games, therefore no GC controller slots. SO if you have a favorite Wii game that you prefer the GC controls to (SSB: brawl per say) then you won't be able to use that control scheme anymore since the data is not transferable.

A work around to this: have the files of the games you want to play on the WiiU on and SD card and when in the mood for those pop it in. This can be troubling since most game files cannot be copied over from the Wii system memory, but it doesn't hurt to check as I've had some become copy-able but others not.

Those are the main hitches I've encountered with my WiiU so far. I'll post more if I find any more.

Comments

  • BandrikBandrik Elkhart, IN Icrontian
    While I don't have a WiiU at the moment, I'm sure I will come in possession of one at some point. And at that point, I shall remember this thread, and be very grateful to you. My future self thanks you.
  • I wish Nintendo would just do some kind of cloud transfer for my virtual console content so I could just go trade in my original wii when upgrading. I played with it a little in a store, I found some of the new game-play concepts kind of distracting and non intuitive, while others I found to be ingenious. If for nothing else, I'm so invested in the wii, even if there are just a few original titles worth playing and finally have netflix streaming in HD (yes, I'm streaming netflix in 480P on a wii, I suck) I might be able to justify it. Zoe and I are kinda waiting to see how Lego City Undercover pans out.
  • RahnalH102RahnalH102 the Green Devout, Veteran Monster Hunter, Creature Enthusiast New Mexico Icrontian
    ( I believe an Ext HDD can work with this, but have not tested yet.)
    I just plugged mine in and the WiiU noticed it and asked me if I wanted to format it for use with the system. I declined since this is kinda my only external at the moment and is currently occupied with valuable dataz. So yes externals do work with it. I do not know if the formatting will mess with data already on the external. Will test this later.
  • RahnalH102RahnalH102 the Green Devout, Veteran Monster Hunter, Creature Enthusiast New Mexico Icrontian
    Tested, it will erase all the previous data on the drive when it formats. Gives you a nice little warning before hand.
  • RahnalH102RahnalH102 the Green Devout, Veteran Monster Hunter, Creature Enthusiast New Mexico Icrontian
    Earn Points, Download Games!

    Deluxe Digital Promotion
    This promotion is only available to you if you buy a WiiU Deluxe Set (the black one.)
    Through this promotion for each software you download from the Nintendo eShop through your WiiU Deluxe, you gain points back that will add up to in-store credit you can use to buy more software.

    Example charts they have are $59.99 USD = 599 points. 500 points = $5 USD. Same for Canada. It isn't showing me European prices. I'm leaning towards that being I've only been given North American version of the info.

    So if you download a big just released game, you'll get $5 back right away (actually seems to be in about a day at least) that you can spend on a little game or save up for another big one.

    You'll be able to earn points for this promotion up until the end of 2014, and the points and $5 activation codes you get will last up until at least March 2015.

    Should you get a WiiU Deluxe, the site to log onto will be on the corresponding sticker on the box.

    Club Nintendo
    Unlike the last one, or even this thread, this service applies to all recent Nintendo products. It's free, and all you have to do to earn the points coins in this service is to fill out surveys. Basically, Nintendo is paying you, in Nintendo money, to participate in market analysis surveys.

    You can register your Nintendo devices and games you've bought to your Club Nintendo account, take a survey on them after some internal processing, and rack up the coins for some Nintendo merch.

    The merchandise includes digital products such as screensavers and game software, and various Nintendo themed swag such as a giant Mii AR Card and Mario themed hanafuda cards.
    image
    You can also get warranty extensions and other benefits that pop up from time to time.
    If you're a fan of Nintendo or at least it's games then this is a nice little reward system for helping them out just by answering some questions.
  • CyrixInsteadCyrixInstead Stoke-on-Trent, England Icrontian
    It was a WiiU or gaming laptop for me, I chose the latter. I fancied ZombieU but there are other things I would prefer for PC, and sadly my FPS skills with a D-Pad are sorely lacking. I don't regret it. I hadn't touched my Wii in years and have only started playing on it in recent weeks now my daughter is of an age where she can play bowling and golf :-)

    One day I will play and complete each of my 25-odd games for the Wii. I've still never completed Zelda Twilight Princess. I came home one night in 2007 when the (now) wife was on nights; blind drunk, and having left the game paused, I attempted to guide Link across a giant indoor dungeon on a floating platform. I got vertigo, went and chucked up, turned the game off without saving (it never saved inside a dungeon, you had to teleport out and save there), and lost over an hour's work. I have never turned the game on since. I was near the end of the game with only the Cave of Ordeals and then Gannondorf to beat, so I really must complete the game fully someday.
  • RahnalH102RahnalH102 the Green Devout, Veteran Monster Hunter, Creature Enthusiast New Mexico Icrontian
    Honestly, my main qualm for the WiiU is that despite Nintendo's efforts, only half of the 50+ games they said would be out within the launch window are actually out, with the rest still a ways away. If it weren't for Monster Hunter 3U I would probably have waited a year or so before getting one.

    I haven't tried any shooters on it yet so I don't think you would have to worry about the D-Pad except for those secondary functions like calling in a drop or some ability. That's what happens in CoD right? It's been awhile since I played one.
  • CyrixInsteadCyrixInstead Stoke-on-Trent, England Icrontian
    Yes, actually I'm thinking of my XBox. I enjoyed the FPS games with the gun attachment, but it's way too ungainly compared to PC. My favourites were the shooting games, House of the Dead games, especially Overkill, Resident Evil shooters, and Ghost Squad.
  • Playing shooters on anything but a PC is sacrilege in my book.
    RahnalH102
  • CyrixInsteadCyrixInstead Stoke-on-Trent, England Icrontian
    Couldn't agree more
  • After a couple months what is the verdict on the Wii U? I may buy one, I'm so invested in old wii accessory's and games that my daughter and I still enjoy, and more than anything I think she is going to go nuts for Lego City Undercover when it comes out in a few weeks. What's everyone think of the Wii U thus far? I'll also use it for Netflix streaming, what is quality of video streaming like?
  • BuddyJBuddyJ Dept. of Propaganda OKC Icrontian
    edited February 2013
    We love Netflix on ours. Having the WiiU remote also control the TV and work as a portable video player is a nice feature because my wife can start watching a show on the TV in the living room, and then take it to the kitchen on the WiiU remote to watch while cooking.

    We only have the bundled game and Scribblenauts thus far. Both are fun, but I personally would like to see more titles.
  • mertesnmertesn I am Bobby Miller Yukon, OK Icrontian
    BuddyJ said:

    We love Netflix on ours. Having the WiiU remote also control the TV and work as a portable video player is a nice feature because my wife can start watching a show on the TV in the living room, and then take it to the kitchen on the WiiU remote to watch while cooking.

    We only have the bundled game and Scribblenauts thus far. Both are fun, but I personally would like to see more titles.

    Remind me next time you're in town. I'm almost done with New Super Mario U. It's a lot of fun.
  • RahnalH102RahnalH102 the Green Devout, Veteran Monster Hunter, Creature Enthusiast New Mexico Icrontian
    I've only had two problems with my WiiU. 1: HuluPlus wouldn't work. Hulu Support was able to help me fix it right up though. 2: Its wireless would appear funky sometimes but that got fixed with what Hulu helped me with. It had DNS issues.

    The streaming so far has been great. The games I've seen have been solid but appeal to different tastes. I haven't transferred my Wii data mainly for one reason: I'd be forced to play Smash Bros with the Wiimote. I just remembered the controller. I feel so stupid now.

    It has a good line up of games at the moment, but could sure use more. The main reason I got my WiiU in the first place was because Monster Hunter 3 U was coming out "within the launch window." If it came out later on this year or even next year then I would have waited to buy for either another game or till it got closer to MH3U launch.

    A good point to keep in mind is, if you're invested in the Wii with controllers, games, V-Console, etc, most if not all of that will transfer over. For example GameCube controls won't transfer since there are no GameCube controller input slots, but that is dependent on the games you enjoy.
  • Anyone using Tvii with Comcast? Wondering what that functionality is like?
  • RahnalH102RahnalH102 the Green Devout, Veteran Monster Hunter, Creature Enthusiast New Mexico Icrontian
    Well, I don't normally watch TV anymore, mainly because my local station is small and doesn't offer a whole lot of what I would watch, but here's my thoughts on it.

    When you're first setting up your WiiU there will be a section that gets TVii ready for you. Making the GamePad a remote compatible with your TV, letting it know what your favorite shows and channels are. Later, when you start up TVii, it will give you 5 options: Favorites, TV, Movies, Sports, and Search. It notes all availability of the show or movie you request. Such as via Netflix, your cable provider, etc. When you select the first 4 you be shown shows that fit what you mentioned earlier in setup first and then other shows that are on now or will be soon. You pick what you want to watch, where you want to watch it, and then it automatically sends you to the right channel or WiiU app. It works well over all but the interface could use WAY better controls. Like actually using the D-Pad or one of the sticks, but no. It's completely touch based and a little too sensitive at that. Parental controls are also compatible with it.
  • Getting a WiiU tonight. I made a promise to my daughter that should would get to play Lego City Undercover and I'm keeping it.

    Transferring Wii Virtual console data to the Wii U, is that fairly painless? How about Wii game saves?
  • RahnalH102RahnalH102 the Green Devout, Veteran Monster Hunter, Creature Enthusiast New Mexico Icrontian
    edited March 2013
    Edit: A full proper response as I was being rushed out the door while writing the previous one.

    The process is a little time consuming, but not hard overall. Mainly Nintendo has you reread the same warning over and over because this transfer is FINAL and your Wii will basically be set to factory default (somewhat.)

    It will transfer Wii save data, WiiWare titles, Virtual console titles and saves, add-on content, Wii Points, Wii Shop Channel history, and Mii characters that are not in the Mii Parade.

    It will not transfer pre-installed WiiWare and Virtual Console titles, Nintendo Gamecube data, and software/save data that does not permit transfer. Not sure what content in particular that last one could mean.

    To start off you'll need the appropriate transfer channels for each system available for free at their own shop channels, an SD card of at least 512MB, and an internet connection. Start on the WiiU's side and follow the instructions given to you. You'll get multiple chances to back out and it will list software that won't be transferred, if you can get it back, and how.

    Once everything is set and you commence the transfer to your SD card, an animation of Pikmin carrying your data will occur to help pass the time. Apparently Nintendo systems run on Pikmin power.
    Tushon
  • Transfer is slow and painful. Waiting now.
  • Cliff_ForsterCliff_Forster Icrontian
    edited March 2013
    In case anyone wonders, HD over old wii component cables is not a bad proposition. I only have one HDMI port on my TV, I temporarily plugged into that to do the data transfer, and I'll say the picture was a little brighter, "popped" a bit more, but when I plugged my cable box in and put it back on the wii's old component connection (I have an upgraded RGB cable I got from Monoprice) It's not shabby, netflix is a huge step up, even youtube is a pleasure to watch from the couch now. HD over component is not bad.

    At first I was concerned how they would manage wii content, but I actually like how they made that separate to preserve the old UI. Zoe and I experimented a bit and it works beautifully with your old content and game saves, but damn the process is more painful than it needed to be. I guess I'm grateful I can do it at all, but it would have been nice if Nintendo just leveraged a cloud service and an account log in to upload and re download all your saves and virtual console content. It's not like the cloud is a mysterious concept these days. Oh well, what's done is done, I'm up and running.

    We NintendoLand, New Super Mario Wii U, and Lego City Undercover is on pre order. We played a little Mario last night. It's amazing how you can take an old gaming concept, give it a fresh coat of paint and it feel's new again for the tenth time. So pleased we bought into the Wii U, hopefully it picks up momentum.
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